Holidays

[Rois]

I always take the annual third party cover - not expensive.  I had to use it last year in Dubrovnik (rented with Sixt) and it was really straightforward as long as I got all the right reports from Sixt. 

I was very annoyed at the cost of the repair work that had to be done (total racket), but that's what the cover is for.  I think someone must have scraped against it when we were parked in a tight public car park in Montenegro.

Have used it somewhere else too (think in Geneva airport).  I don't think I took enough pics with that one - certainly none of the damage has been when I've been in or near the car.  Always got the cost covered.

[TabClear]

Always buy your own car hire excess insurance. Can get annual policies for 50 quid odd. The car hire company will absolutely gouge you.

What he said

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/car-hire/article/car-hire-advice/car-hire-insurance-aqd1p9P5n1Rs

[clonian]

Thanks folks. The company I'm looking at has slashed the excess cost - only €20 extra for the full package and was quoting at €270 extra originally

[Don Johnson]

Anybody give a recommendation for a Eurocamp near Paris ?

La Croix Du Vieux Pont we stayed at a few years back and actually going back next month. About an hour from Disneyland they run buses there too. Also have bus trips to Paris city centre as well.

[galwayman]

Just wondering has anyone on here been to both the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the summer and able to compare them?
Have a week to take off work in early July and now thinking of trying to get a sneaky week away - but don't want the usual Med resort type break.
I was looking at Zell am See and Seefeld in Austria initially, but also looking at Morzine (mainly due to the free outdoor public heated pool) and Annecy in France.
I'm going research blind now though so am secondf guessing myself!
We've been away already earlier in the year, so trying to keep this as cheap as possible (so probably won't be able to stump up for accommodation with a pool for the kids).
Just looking for somewhere scenic with some swimming possibilities for the kid within walking distance of a reasonable choice of restaurants.
Anyone been to the areas mentioned?

[Tony Baloney]

Just wondering has anyone on here been to both the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the summer and able to compare them?
Have a week to take off work in early July and now thinking of trying to get a sneaky week away - but don't want the usual Med resort type break.
I was looking at Zell am See and Seefeld in Austria initially, but also looking at Morzine (mainly due to the free outdoor public heated pool) and Annecy in France.
I'm going research blind now though so am secondf guessing myself!
We've been away already earlier in the year, so trying to keep this as cheap as possible (so probably won't be able to stump up for accommodation with a pool for the kids).
Just looking for somewhere scenic with some swimming possibilities for the kid within walking distance of a reasonable choice of restaurants.
Anyone been to the areas mentioned?

Pretty sure

Just wondering has anyone on here been to both the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the summer and able to compare them?
Have a week to take off work in early July and now thinking of trying to get a sneaky week away - but don't want the usual Med resort type break.
I was looking at Zell am See and Seefeld in Austria initially, but also looking at Morzine (mainly due to the free outdoor public heated pool) and Annecy in France.
I'm going research blind now though so am secondf guessing myself!
We've been away already earlier in the year, so trying to keep this as cheap as possible (so probably won't be able to stump up for accommodation with a pool for the kids).
Just looking for somewhere scenic with some swimming possibilities for the kid within walking distance of a reasonable choice of restaurants.
Anyone been to the areas mentioned?

Pretty sure Rois and seafoid have commented on that area previously if you can get the search function to work!

[PMG1]

Just wondering has anyone on here been to both the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the summer and able to compare them?
Have a week to take off work in early July and now thinking of trying to get a sneaky week away - but don't want the usual Med resort type break.
I was looking at Zell am See and Seefeld in Austria initially, but also looking at Morzine (mainly due to the free outdoor public heated pool) and Annecy in France.
I'm going research blind now though so am secondf guessing myself!
We've been away already earlier in the year, so trying to keep this as cheap as possible (so probably won't be able to stump up for accommodation with a pool for the kids).
Just looking for somewhere scenic with some swimming possibilities for the kid within walking distance of a reasonable choice of restaurants.
Anyone been to the areas mentioned?

Have been to Zell Am See a few times in the summer, lovely spot, don't need pool as there is an open air pool by the lake and can also swim in the lake which is class. Haven't been in 10 years or so but hope to go back soon. Moraine I haven't been to but it's on my bucket list

[galwayman]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Sorry I meant to say compare the Austrian and French Alps - not the Swiss Alps.

[galwayman]

Just wondering has anyone on here been to both the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the summer and able to compare them?
Have a week to take off work in early July and now thinking of trying to get a sneaky week away - but don't want the usual Med resort type break.
I was looking at Zell am See and Seefeld in Austria initially, but also looking at Morzine (mainly due to the free outdoor public heated pool) and Annecy in France.
I'm going research blind now though so am secondf guessing myself!
We've been away already earlier in the year, so trying to keep this as cheap as possible (so probably won't be able to stump up for accommodation with a pool for the kids).
Just looking for somewhere scenic with some swimming possibilities for the kid within walking distance of a reasonable choice of restaurants.
Anyone been to the areas mentioned?

Have been to Zell Am See a few times in the summer, lovely spot, don't need pool as there is an open air pool by the lake and can also swim in the lake which is class. Haven't been in 10 years or so but hope to go back soon. Moraine I haven't been to but it's on my bucket list

Cheers for that. Do you remember if the lake was an okay temperature to swim in?
Let's just say my two girls wouldn't be the bravest in terms of cold water :-)
It does look lovely.
Is the food decent?
Was in France last year and was surprised at how samey and so-so the food was in comparison to the North of Majorca for example.

[HiMucker]

Ive been to Morzine a pile of times, amazing place.

[PMG1]

Just wondering has anyone on here been to both the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the summer and able to compare them?
Have a week to take off work in early July and now thinking of trying to get a sneaky week away - but don't want the usual Med resort type break.
I was looking at Zell am See and Seefeld in Austria initially, but also looking at Morzine (mainly due to the free outdoor public heated pool) and Annecy in France.
I'm going research blind now though so am secondf guessing myself!
We've been away already earlier in the year, so trying to keep this as cheap as possible (so probably won't be able to stump up for accommodation with a pool for the kids).
Just looking for somewhere scenic with some swimming possibilities for the kid within walking distance of a reasonable choice of restaurants.
Anyone been to the areas mentioned?

Have been to Zell Am See a few times in the summer, lovely spot, don't need pool as there is an open air pool by the lake and can also swim in the lake which is class. Haven't been in 10 years or so but hope to go back soon. Moraine I haven't been to but it's on my bucket list

Cheers for that. Do you remember if the lake was an okay temperature to swim in?
Let's just say my two girls wouldn't be the bravest in terms of cold water :-)
It does look lovely.
Is the food decent?
Was in France last year and was surprised at how samey and so-so the food was in comparison to the North of Majorca for example.

Water in the lake was a great temperature to swim in, weather can be quite warm in the summer and water heats accordingly. Food was first class especially the breakfast, a lot of locally sourced fruit and veg. It's a very healthy holiday, beautiful walk around the lake or even just stroll up and down the lake side without doing the full circuit. Walking up the mountain is great also with some great paths or just cable car to top and walk down. Most hotels will give you great value on bike hire which is recommended, the one is stayed in gave the bikes free. There is always festivals on too

[marty34]

Would it be better/cheaper to book a family holiday in the north or south?

Or does it make any difference price wise? If in south, probably have to fly out via Dublin.

[Rois]

Just wondering has anyone on here been to both the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the summer and able to compare them?
Have a week to take off work in early July and now thinking of trying to get a sneaky week away - but don't want the usual Med resort type break.
I was looking at Zell am See and Seefeld in Austria initially, but also looking at Morzine (mainly due to the free outdoor public heated pool) and Annecy in France.
I'm going research blind now though so am secondf guessing myself!
We've been away already earlier in the year, so trying to keep this as cheap as possible (so probably won't be able to stump up for accommodation with a pool for the kids).
Just looking for somewhere scenic with some swimming possibilities for the kid within walking distance of a reasonable choice of restaurants.
Anyone been to the areas mentioned?

Have been to Zell Am See a few times in the summer, lovely spot, don't need pool as there is an open air pool by the lake and can also swim in the lake which is class. Haven't been in 10 years or so but hope to go back soon. Moraine I haven't been to but it's on my bucket list

Cheers for that. Do you remember if the lake was an okay temperature to swim in?
Let's just say my two girls wouldn't be the bravest in terms of cold water :-)
It does look lovely.
Is the food decent?
Was in France last year and was surprised at how samey and so-so the food was in comparison to the North of Majorca for example.

I am off to Chamonix for 4th year in a row in July. Great, lovely and very scenic town, free rail travel up and down the valley, some Michelin stars if that's your thing. BUT no free swimming and can be expensive.

Morzine can be a little quiet in certain weeks in summer but has a really relaxed vibe. Check out AlpineElements who run hotels - they may have offers in July before English schools finish.

Annecy is class, my favourite town that a I've visited. There's a Eurocamp place along the gorgeously clean lake that may be decent value.

I spent a lot of time in Swiss pre-Alps whena student, and loved towns like Montreux, Lausanne, Vevey, Gstaad. But nothing there comes cheaply.

Zell am See would tick all my boxes and will visit when kids are older.